ERIKS and SCSN: Working Together Toward Efficient and Future-Proof Digital Collaboration

As a specialized industrial service provider, ERIKS supports customers across various sectors with reliable industrial components and smart process optimization. Digitalization has played a key role in this mission since the 1990s — and today, SCSN plays a key role in that ongoing journey. Victor Belou and André Hagenaar, both EDI Project Coordinators at ERIKS, explain how they guide customers in digitalizing their order processes — and the impact this has on efficiency, error reduction, and customer satisfaction.

From Business Case to Tangible Savings
At ERIKS, digitalization isn’t just about technology — it’s about creating value for the customer. “We help customers identify savings, not just on products but especially on processes,” explains Victor. “With our ‘savings model,’ we show how much time a customer saves by automating order lines. We translate those time savings into a concrete amount per order line. By visualizing this in an online dashboard, customers can clearly see the added value.”

André adds: “If a customer saves 15 minutes per order line, and you calculate that using an average hourly wage, you quickly build a solid business case. We also use the dashboard to track error rates and improve them structurally.”
“During annual evaluations, we show how much the error rate has decreased and how much the customer has actually saved over the year. This gives customers more control over their own digitalization process,” says Victor.

SCSN as a Digital Plug
SCSN has become a key accelerator in ERIKS’ digitalization journey. For ERIKS, the network acts like a digital plug — enabling fast and efficient customer connections. “We used to set a minimum of 500 to 1,000 order lines per year to justify a digital connection. With SCSN, that’s changed,” Victor explains. “Now it’s already worthwhile for customers with just 50 order lines per year. If their product data is in order, we can get them live within two days.”

André adds: “In the beginning, we needed a testing phase, but now we’re set up to move quickly. SCSN significantly lowers the barrier to digitalization. It allows us not only to respond faster to customer needs but also to proactively seize new opportunities.”

From Repetitive Tasks to Room for Customization
By automating standard orders, ERIKS creates space for customization. “Items that require a lot of coordination or customization are still handled manually. But thanks to automation, we now have the time and focus to do that properly,” says André. “Digitalization helps us deploy people where they can really make a difference.”

SCSN as a Strategic Choice and Growth Driver
ERIKS has been connected to SCSN since 2020 via its service provider. “When our service provider established a connection with SCSN, we immediately saw the potential. The network opens the door to a much larger group of customers and suppliers — with lower implementation costs and faster turnaround times,” says Victor. 

While SCSN initially seemed focused on the manufacturing industry, ERIKS now sees applications across many sectors. “We’re connecting with companies already on SCSN, but also with existing customers who haven’t made the switch yet,” Victor explains. “Our account managers now include this in every conversation. More and more, we’re also being approached by customers and suppliers who are interested in SCSN. It’s clearly gaining traction.”

André adds: “Communicating through a network like SCSN is the future. The practical benefits are undeniable. If everyone can send validated messages over the same network, we can communicate far more efficiently across the entire supply chain. It strengthens your business.”

Tips for Companies Looking to Digitalize
Victor concludes with a clear call to action: “Just get started. Begin with orders and order confirmations, then expand to invoices and packing slips. The most important thing is to get your product data in order. Stop postponing and take the first step.”
André’s advice: “Set quality goals, monitor them, and keep improving. That’s how you make digitalization truly valuable.”